Pioneers of African-American Cinema

Among the most fascinating chapters of film history is that of the so-called "race films" that flourished in the 1920s -'40s. Unlike the "black cast" films produced within the Hollywood studio system, these films not only starred African Americans but were funded, written, produced, edited, distributed, and often exhibited by people of color. Entrepreneurial filmmakers built an industry apart from the Hollywood establishment, cultivating visual and narrative styles that were uniquely their own.

Dirty Gerties from Harlem U.S.A.: Based on the story "Miss Thompson" by W. Somerset Maugham.

Ten minutes to live: Based on the short stories "The Faker", "The Killer", and "Harlem after midnight" a collection entitled "Harlem after midnight" (author undetermined).

Ten nights in a bar room: Based on the novel by Timothy Shay Arthur and the stage adaptation by William W. Pratt.

The birthright: Based on the novel by Thomas Sigismund Stribling.

The bxile: Based on the novel The Conquest by Oscar Micheaux.

The birl from Chicago: Based on the short story "Jeff Ballinger's Woman" by Oscar Micheaux.

Veiled aristocrats: Based on the novel The House Behind the Cedars by Charles W. Chesnutt.

Related Title

Container of (work): Two knights of Vaudeville (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Reckless rover (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Within our gates (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Symbol of the unconquered (Motion picture)

Container of (work): By right of birth (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Body and soul (Motion picture : 1925)

Container of (work): Regeneration (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Flying ace (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Ten nights in a bar room (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Rev SS Jones home movies.

Container of (work): Scar of shame (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Eleven P.M. (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Hell-bound train (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Verdict not guilty (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Darktown Revue (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Exile (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Hot biskits (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Girl from Chicago (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Ten minutes to live (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Veiled aristocrats (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Birthright (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Bronze buckaroo (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Blood of Jesus (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Dirty Gertie from Harlem USA (Motion picture)

Container of (work): Moses sisters interview.

Awards Note

National Film Registry selection, 1991: Blood of Jesus.

National Film Registry selection, 1992: Within our gates.

Local Notes

Public performance rights secured. PPR allow educational and non profit groups to exhibit our films to groups of 100 or fewer individuals where admission is not charged. The term of the public performance license is for the life of the DVD. However, if you intend to charge admission, expect an audience over 100, or publicly advertise the screening, then we ask that you contact us regarding an exhibition fee.

Disc 3. Eleven P.M. (60 min. ; 1928) / written and directed by Richard Maurice ; music composed and performed by Rob Gal ; Hell-bound train (50 min. ; c.1930) / written and directed by James and Eloyce Gist ; music composed and performed by Samuel Waymon ; Verdict: not guilty (8 min. ; c.1933) / written and directed by James and Eloyce Gist ; music composed and performed by Samuel Waymon ; Darktown revue (18 min. ; 1931) / directed by Oscar Micheaux ; produced by Oscar Micheaux and Alice B. Russell ; produced by the Micheaux Film Corporation ; Exile (78 min. ; 1931) / Frank Schiffman presents an Oscar Micheaux production ; written and directed by Oscar Micheaux ; produced by the Micheaux Film Corporation ; music by Donald Heywood ; Hot Biskits (10 min. ; 1931) / written and directed by Spencer Williams ; produced by Dixie Comedies

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Among the most fascinating chapters of film history is that of the so-called "race films" that flourished in the 1920s -'40s. Unlike the "black cast" films produced within the Hollywood studio system, these films not only starred African Americans but were funded, written, produced, edited, distributed, and often exhibited by people of color. Entrepreneurial filmmakers built an industry apart from the Hollywood establishment, cultivating visual and narrative styles that were uniquely their own.

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Public performance rights secured. PPR allow educational and non profit groups to exhibit our films to groups of 100 or fewer individuals where admission is not charged. The term of the public performance license is for the life of the DVD. However, if you intend to charge admission, expect an audience over 100, or publicly advertise the screening, then we ask that you contact us regarding an exhibition fee.